As per the Java Native Interface Specification: "All Java objects returned by JNI functions are local references." [1].

The get/set-InetXXAddress-member helper functions in net_util.c retrieve a local reference to the internal `holder` before operating on the InetAddress object. These functions are used in many places by the native code, and should release any local references before returning.

[1] https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/16/docs/specs/jni/design.html#global-and-local-references